Pilgrim

I'm looking at some wheels but they require hub-centric rings. I've always been reluctant to use wheels with spacers or rings, so I have no experience with this. Do those of you with experience find wheels that require hub-centric rings to perform well and reliably? Thanks for your thoughts based on experience.

Never seen that chart before! "Or type Dexron" is an interesting addition. My tyranny has lasted 130k miles with the original and later synthetic gear oil, so I'm not motivated to change.

True, but I'm not sure it's relevant. Mercedes used ATF in their 4-speed manual transmission in the 1959 219 sedan my dad owned, but I wouldn't use it in the 3-speed with OD transmission that was in my 1959 Ford. The last time I checked (before this) the correct lube for the factory 5-speed in my 1983 280ZX Turbo was a synthetic GL-4 75-90 gear oil. That's what I'm using and and I don't plan to change it.

The kidnap plot for Gov. Whitmer tells us the far right and conspiracy types are getting really dangerous. If this keeps up we'll have new constitutional issues with surveillance that's actually needed to keep a lid on the wackos.

Since the lowly Broncos play the Patsies next week, I'm pretty sure they view this as a helpful event.

Karma, poetic justice, take your pick.

I've used only Mobil1 or Amsoil synthetic gear oil for years in my 280ZX Turbo. Makes a significant difference in ease of shifting. Make SURE that you use type GL-4, NOT GL-5. Transmissions need the GL-4 type gear oil. Incidentally, when I looked up the gear oil for my '83 ZXT on the Amsoil site, it shows an ATF synthetic for the '83 5-speed. I'm pretty sure that is wrong! Redline is an excellent lube, one of the very best. I believe this gear oil is correct: https://www.redlineoil.com/mt-90-75w90-gl-4-gear-oil

Admitting a screw- up is a nice way to help someone else avoid it. All of us have brain farts on occasion.

I checked the parts for my 83 ZXT. The tension rod bushings have a tubular metal inner sleeve, but the sway bar end bushings do not.

Nice photos!! Also helpful comment on using the wood block and separate jack. Been ruminating on how I was going to press that bar up into position.

In my 1983 ZXT manual it's on pages FA-4 or FA-8. The diagram on FA-4 is best. Glad you asked, it's a very low torque spec, 12-16 Lbs/Ft. It would help if you'd mention the year of your Z, just in case it's quite different.

^^Agreed. Been doing this on my 280ZX. There is a torque spec for those in the service manual, too. Might be around 40 lbs/ft but check it, don't trust my memory.

I agree! To my eye that's a considerable improvement.

I like the rear view and the side view. The front view doesn't do much for me. If they wanted to evoke the original car they needed to avoid a flat hood and put more character lines in it. Also, the more I see that grille the less I like it. Just a big black rectangle, no Z or any ornament on it. Maybe I'd like it in person, but I wouldn't put big money on it. But then, I have no plans to sell my '83.

Yup, the story has always been that Nissan copied the classic Mercedes 6 from the 1950's and 60's. My dad had a 1959 Mercedes 219 (straight 6, overhead cam, single carb) and it looked like a simplified version of the photos above. That Mercedes engine was a great one, and the Z engine was too.

I don't believe Nissan has any inline 6 in their inventory (I may be wrong). They're not going to build one for a single low-selling model, and they've used a V6 for years. Any souls to be lost have disappeared long since.... That's why Toyota partnered with BMW on the Supra - they had no inline 6 and BMW had one of the world's best. If you want an inline-6, better be ready for a BMW engine in your Z.

Very nice, and now it has actually gained considerable value!!

I like the rear and side views. The front view doesn't do much for me. The hood is too flat; needs more flow lines and needs to look less like a table. But viewing it in person may give a different impression.

That would be a "Ghosn in the Machine", wouldn't it?

I agree. My then-girlfriend and I car-camped around the Olympic Peninsula in WA out of a 280Z. There was enough room for a small tent, sleeping bags, air mattresses and a couple of small duffel bags. A car needs a reasonable amount of cargo capacity.

I have relatives in Colfax and fires there have threatened two of their homes and the farmhouse which supports their operation. In one case flames were within about 40 feet of buildings, but in all cases they are OK. One of the fires was in Colfax on the west side of town; the other fires included the one that took out the covered bridge, which is within 2 miles of the farm, in the same canyon. Info from them is sporadic because the power has been out in much of Colfax and all the residences except the farmhouse - and it's in a location where you have to climb about 300 feet up to a hilltop to get cell phone connectivity.

Of course, a big screen will be added. My garage has a modest 22" TV on a swivel wall mount and an Intel ComputeStick to access video over the house WiFi network.

Wow, that is QUITE a project!! Looks great.

I just read your story to my wife. I'm 70 and she's 65, and we lived through that era and watched the war on TV. My high school classmates (class of '69) went over, and some did not return. I'm glad your dad and your family made it out. He was clearly a remarkable and admirable gentleman.

I have a problem with this "violates your rights" protestation. What it really means is "I'm pissed at not getting my way, so I'll claim my rights are being violated." All rights have limits under certain circumstances; these include such basics as life and liberty. Prison removes liberty and capital punishment cancels life. Slander laws limit freedom of speech, as does the famous example of legal action after yelling "fire" in a crowded theater. Firearms can't be carried in certain settings or circumstances. At least one state has recognized the Governor's right to enact and enforce a mask order. I do not intend to make this a political argument, but to note that any of our rights are to some degree circumstantial and can be temporarily changed. In my personal opinion a worldwide pandemic qualifies as such a circumstance. Also, it is sometimes possible to insist on your rights to the point where it is roughly equivalent to committing suicide.